At H. J. Russell & Company, we are guided by a team of visionary leaders dedicated to driving excellence in every facet of our business. Under the leadership of Michael Russell, President and CEO, our organization has continuously grown, adapted, and thrived, delivering innovative solutions and outstanding results for our clients, partners, and communities.
EDUCATION: B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Virginia. M.B.A., Georgia State University
Michael Russell has served as Chief Executive Officer of H. J. Russell & Company in Atlanta, Georgia, since 2003. H. J. Russell & Company, founded over 60 years ago, is a vertically integrated service provider specializing in construction and program management services. The company has extensive experience in building and renovating projects in diverse market segments, including mission critical data centers, public assembly, multi-family residential, sports facilities, student housing, and healthcare.
Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Russell, who joined the company in 1990, served in various executive roles, most recently as Executive Vice President responsible for the management and strategic direction of the construction and program management divisions.
Mr. Russell is the Vice Chairman of Concessions International, an innovator in the airport food and beverage concessions industry. He is actively involved in the strategic direction and growth initiatives of Concessions. The Russell Companies, which consists of H. J. Russell & Company and Concessions International, employs more than 2,000 individuals with operations in 10 major cities, including Atlanta, the location of its headquarters; Dallas; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Denver; and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Michael’s civic involvement includes serving as Chairman of the Atlanta Committee for Progress and as a board member of the Georgia Research Alliance and the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). He is on the Executive Committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club, AEC Unites, and 100 Black Men of Atlanta.
Mr. Russell received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia and his MBA from Georgia State University.
EDUCATION: Master of Business Administration, Henley Management College
Bachelor of Arts (Honors), History with Economic & Social History, University of Birmingham
Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA, CGMA)
Mark Birch is a seasoned financial executive who brings more than 30 years of leadership experience to his role as Chief Financial Officer at H. J. Russell & Company. Throughout his career, Mark has earned a reputation for building strong financial foundations, leading change, and helping organizations unlock new levels of operational excellence and growth.
Before joining Russell, Mark spent nearly two decades with Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc., where he helped shape the financial strategy of a billion-dollar U.S. operation.
His experience spans financial system integrations, mergers and acquisitions, internal controls, and risk management.
Mark’s leadership style is grounded in collaboration, transparency, and a forward-thinking approach that connects financial performance with broader business goals.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Mark combines a global perspective with a hands-on understanding of what it takes to drive success at every level of an organization.
He remains focused on helping H. J. Russell continue to build a strong and resilient future that supports its people, its clients, and the communities it serves.
EDUCATION:
Mona Garland serves as Chief People Officer for Russell Family Enterprises, overseeing the human capital strategy for H. J. Russell & Company, Concessions International, and Russell New Urban Development. With more than 25 years of experience, Mona leads efforts to build a dynamic and inclusive workplace culture that empowers employees and supports the companies’ strategic business growth.
Throughout her career, Mona has held senior leadership roles with global market leaders in technology, manufacturing, logistics, and service industries. Prior to joining Russell, she served as Chief Human Resources Officer at a global technology firm, where she was instrumental in scaling HR operations, driving business expansion, and advancing people initiatives across international markets. Her expertise spans talent acquisition, succession planning, leadership development, total rewards strategy, and organizational transformation.
Known for her collaborative leadership style and people-first philosophy, Mona partners closely with senior executives and teams across the Russell companies to align talent strategies with business goals. She is passionate about building workplaces where employees thrive, innovate, and feel connected to a shared purpose. Her approach centers on fostering engagement, advancing diversity and inclusion, and cultivating leadership at all levels.
MICHAEL SWICK – Senior Vice President of Construction
EDUCATION: A.A.S. in Construction Management, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Mechanical Engineering Studies, Boston University
Michael Swick serves as Senior Vice President of Construction at H. J. Russell & Company, where he leads the company’s construction operations with a focus on strategic growth, operational excellence, and building a strong, people-centered culture. He oversees project delivery across Russell’s expanding footprint in Atlanta, Dallas, Boston, Houston, Los Angeles, and Tampa, and plays a key role in driving the company’s vision to reach $1 billion in revenue by 2029.
Since joining Russell in 2019, Michael has helped transform the construction group, growing the team from 19 to 125 members while strengthening systems, nurturing emerging leaders, and elevating the company’s construction capabilities. His leadership is rooted in collaboration, mentorship, and a commitment to creating opportunities for others to thrive. With more than 25 years of experience across sectors including hospitality, multifamily, industrial, public works, athletic facilities, and retail, Michael brings a hands-on approach to leadership and a passion for building lasting partnerships with clients and teams.
Born in California and having spent 12 years living and working in Massachusetts, Michael brings both a national perspective and a deep understanding of diverse regional markets. He holds an A.A.S. in Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology and studied mechanical engineering at Boston University. A LEED Accredited Professional, Michael is a past president of the U.S. Green Building Council of Georgia and was recognized by Engineering News-Record (ENR) as one of the Southeast’s Top 20 Under 40. Whether building complex projects or building strong teams, Michael remains focused on delivering excellence while helping others grow.
EDUCATION: Advanced Level Economics and Geography, St. John’s College administered by the University of Cambridge, Harare, Zimbabwe
As Vice President of Program Management, Bryan is responsible for the overall management and growth of the Program Management Division, providing clients a full range of design and construction management services through all phases of projects and programs.
With more than 23 years of experience in the program management and construction space, both locally and abroad, Bryan’s experiences bring a wealth of knowledge to our executive team. Also, his project experience across various business sectors are valuable in helping Russell expand as we explore new industries and close new business opportunities.
Prior to joining Russell, Bryan ran Construction Concepts, (Pvt) Ltd., his own construction company in his hometown of Harare, Zimbabwe. Prior to that, he held leadership positions, working out of Atlanta, with Cumming Construction Management and Faithful+Gould between 1996 and 2013.
Originally from Harare, Zimbabwe, Bryan attended and graduated from St. John’s College in Harare with advanced level economics and geography, administered by the University of Cambridge, with further education in quantity surveying and construction management.
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Media Arts and Animation, Art Institute of Atlanta
As Senior Director of Marketing, Kevin leads the strategy and execution of all marketing and communication initiatives at H. J. Russell & Company. With a career spanning over two decades, Kevin brings a blend of strategic vision, digital innovation, and hands-on leadership to the construction industry.
Kevin’s diverse background includes managing creative teams, developing data-driven marketing campaigns, leading digital transformation efforts, and launching successful branding strategies. His expertise includes proposal development, content creation, web strategy, social media, public speaking, and much more, positioning him as a dynamic force in the evolving marketing landscape.
Prior to joining Russell, Kevin held key leadership roles including Senior Marketing Manager at KBD Group and Senior Visual Designer at Georgia Power, where he combined visual marketing with strategic outreach to support business attraction efforts statewide.
Kevin is a recognized leader in the economic development community, serving as Communication Committee Chair for the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), where he received the 2024 Chairman’s Award and 2017 President’s Award. He also earned the 2013 Committee Chair of the Year honor from the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) for his leadership contributions to marketing and communications.
Outside of work, Kevin serves as an associate pastor, where he leads with compassion and purpose.
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Building and Construction Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Clinton Kurtz, Vice President of Mission Critical at H. J. Russell & Company, oversees U.S. data center operations with responsibility for client relationships, RFP preparation, and team leadership. With over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Clinton brings a strategic mindset and collaborative leadership style that drive business growth and foster a high-performing work environment. His focus on operational excellence and people-centered leadership has made him a key contributor to the company’s expanding mission critical portfolio.
Since joining Russell, Clinton has overseen more than $1 billion in data center projects across the US. His leadership has been instrumental in delivering over 1 million square feet of high-tech space and more than 300 megawatts of capacity for the world’s leading technology companies.
Prior to his role at Russell, Clinton served in senior executive at Kajima Building & Design Group, where he managed large-scale warehouse projects, and at JE Dunn Construction, where he helped build the company’s industrial group from the ground up. Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a graduate of Georgia Tech, Clinton remains grounded in his values of teamwork, integrity, and excellence. He leads with a clear focus on delivering meaningful results for clients while investing in the people who make those results possible.
EDUCATION: Master of Science, Construction Management, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science, Construction Management, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Derrick Chery is a results-driven construction executive with more than 18 years of experience successfully delivering high-profile, cost-effective projects across a range of sectors. As The General Manager at H. J. Russell & Company, Derrick specializes in building and managing collaborative teams that drive projects from concept through completion while exceeding client expectations.
Throughout his career, Derrick has led major developments totaling over $1 billion, including complex mixed-use, multifamily, academic, and life sciences projects across the Northeast. His approach emphasizes strategic planning, operational excellence, and fostering strong relationships with clients, trade partners, and community stakeholders. Derrick also serves as a change catalyst, leveraging his extensive network to champion structural change within organizations and create new opportunities for underrepresented groups in the construction industry.
Derrick’s leadership philosophy is grounded in mentorship, innovation, and a commitment to delivering lasting impact. His passion for building stronger communities is reflected not only in the projects he delivers but also in the teams he empowers along the way.
Curtis Wilson is a nationally recognized leader in transportation and infrastructure with over 34 years of experience delivering multi-billion-dollar capital programs across the aviation, water, transit, and municipal sectors. As Vice President at H.J. Russell & Company, Curtis has directed more than $20 billion in public and private infrastructure investments, including transformative programs such as ATLNext ($20B), the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Capital Program ($5B), the City of Atlanta Clean Water Initiative ($4.2B), the Los Angeles World Airports Capital Program ($15B), and More MARTA Atlanta ($6B).
Curtis brings deep expertise in standing up and operating high-performing Project Management Offices (PMOs), program governance frameworks, and fully integrated project controls. His technical command spans CPM scheduling, earned value management, risk analysis, and enterprise program management information systems (PMIS).
A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Curtis is also a dedicated mentor and team builder, known for cultivating high-performance teams that thrive in complex, fast-paced environments. He is a longtime member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE), and remains committed to driving innovation in capital project delivery nationwide.
